[pianotech] Plastic Damper flanges

[Gerald Groot]

I don't have specs for it but, I have done a few of these.  It is a PITA.  I
did as Wim suggested, starting from scratch.  Finding the right sized
dampers first, then, bending and all that fun stuff that goes along with it.


 

It looks like maybe hammer flanges might be plastic too?  Maybe it's the
flash from the camera.  You're probably already planning on this but if not,
I'd replace whatever else is plastic while you're at it.  Save time and
money later. 

 

Jer Groot

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Encore Pianos
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 9:52 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Plastic Damper flanges

 

This is no more than a guess on my part, but:

 

This is likely a Pratt - Read action, yes?  It is possible that there is no
difference between these plastic parts that superseded earlier wood flanges
other than material choice.  Since these parts were put on so many different
pianos, it seems reasonable to explore that avenue.  Others may chime in if
they have more immediate knowledge than I.  If it turns out they are the
same, then some supply house parts may fill the bill.

 

Even though Story and Clark's pianos these days are instruments made in
China, it couldn't hurt to call them and see if anybody would know.  I think
John Omatek is the person you need to talk to, at 1-800-247-6557.  Nothing
ventured, nothing gained.  

 

Once you find the correct underlever flanges, you could repin section end
samples with the wood flanges and mount them on the rail to use as guides as
you replace the set.  

 

Will Truitt

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of tnrwim at aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 9:12 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Plastic Damper flanges

 

Rob

 

With no specs to go by, I guess the only thing left is to start from
scratch. Buy new damper levers with flanges attached, and a new set of
damper felts, and put them on, one at a time. This is going to be a long
process. It would be best if you can get the piano to your shop, or be
prepared to spend a couple of days at the customer's house. Which brings up
the second problem. Make sure the customer is willing to pay for at least
two days of work, plus parts. 

 

Wim

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Rob McCall <rob at mccallpiano.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, Jan 2, 2012 12:36 am
Subject: [pianotech] Plastic Damper flanges

Greetings and happy new year! 

 

This is from a 1955 Story & Clark console.  Damper flanges are made of
extremely brittle plastic. The lightest of touch and they disintegrate in
your hands. When I opened the lid on the piano, all the dampers were piled
up on top of each other at the bass end. I guess they tilted it when they
moved it and the damper flanges self-destructed. 

 

Fortunately, all the other flanges on the piano are made of wood.

 

I'm unable to get any specs on the flanges due to the fact that not a single
one of them is whole. Best I can estimate, from the best one I could find is
that the distance from the center pin to the center of the screw hole is
around 15mm, and the spring appears to be about 1" long from it's attachment
to the apex of the bend in the spring.

 

Does anyone have any specs for this?  Or does it look like the standard
spinet flange from Schaff, etc. would work?

 

Also, if anyone has any hints or tips as to how best to sort the pile of
damper levers from the mayhem it's in, into the correct order it needs to be
in, I'd appreciate it...  and no, they aren't numbered...  :-/

Regards,

 

Rob McCall

 

McCall Piano Service, LLC
www.mccallpiano.com <http://www.mccallpiano.com/> 

Murrieta, CA

951-698-1875

 

 



-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20120102/b54292f9/attachment-0001.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 89522 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20120102/b54292f9/attachment-0001.jpeg>